Insights from USC coach Lincoln Riley’s first week leading spring football

USC coach Lincoln Riley watches practice as quarterback Caleb Williams throws a pass during a spring football practice Tuesday. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

The first official practices of the Lincoln Riley era at USC are in the rearview mirror. So what have we learned about USC’s new regime through one week of spring football practice?

Williams’ impact

Caleb Williams has seamlessly stepped into a leadership role. He might’ve taken a wrong turn into his first USC practice, but the Trojans’ new QB1 has looked completely at ease at the helm of his new offense. Teammates are already raving. His gravitational pull within the program is powerful.

“He’s a baller,” running back Austin Jones said. “He’s a leader. Most definitely, he’s an alpha.”

Those qualifications should come as no surprise after Williams smoothly took the reins from Spencer Rattler in the middle of the season as a freshman at Oklahoma. He’ll have the benefit of an entire spring and summer to establish himself at USC.

“He’s one of those guys who can walk into a room with people he doesn’t know and he’s kind of a chameleon, he can fit in in any place,” Riley said.

USC quarterback Caleb Williams tosses a pass during spring practice Tuesday. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Higher expectations

It’s far too early to say one way or another if Riley has changed the culture of USC football. That’s going to take a while. But judging by a week of comments from coaches and players about where the program stands at the start of spring, it’s clear the staff is pushing players to raise their own expectations.

Assistants were frank this week about how far their players have to go. Inside linebackers coach Brian Odom said his group was “nowhere near where it needs to be.” Others talked about players needing to adjust to a new mentality. Even with…

..

Read More

You might like

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *